Operating control for film handling apparatus



Dec. 24, 1940. w. E. MERREMAN ETAL. 2,226,175

OPERATING CONTROL FOR FILM HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIGJ.

11 FIG.3. 27 7 20 33 18 2 WILLMMEMERRIMAN CLARENCE W. CARROLL 4.9 23 INVENTORS ATTO Ys 1940- w. E. MERRIMAN ETAL 2,225,175

OPERATING CONTROL FOR FILM HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLMM E MERRIMAN CLARENCE W. CARROLL INVENTORS 20 arm.

Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE William E. Merriman and Clarence W. Carroll, Rochester. N. Y., aslignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N. Y., a

New Jersey corporation of Application November 26, 1938, Serial No. 242,524

2Claims.

The present invention relates to a film handling apparatus and is a continuation-in-part of our pending application, Serial No. 142,869, filed May 15, 1937. Bald prior application is directed to photographic apparatus of the magazine type and particularly to the provision of a film magazine containing a source of energy for operation of the apparatus, whereas, the present application is directed to control means for supervising the supply of energy to the motor for driving the film handling apparatus so that said apparatus can be eificiently controlled and stopped in a predetermined position.

Several types of prime movers, such as electric motors, air turbines, etc., have been used to drive film handling apparatus. However, the control of such prime movers has previously been accomplished merely by controlling the supply of energy thereto so that the film advancing mechanism or shutter member of the apparatus may stop in an undetermined position when the supply of energy to the motor has been shut off.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision in a film handling apparatus of an energy control means for supervising operation of the driving motor connected to the film moving means, of a release means for directly supervising the film moving means, andof a common operating control means which is operatively connected to said energy control means and to said release means and for moving the same to change the effective positions thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a common operating control means which is operatively connected to an energy control means and to a release means for the film moving means, such operating control means being arranged to move the energy control means and release means in timed relation for sequential change of their effective positions.

A further object of the invention is the arrangement of said common: operating control means, such that the energy control means is moved to an off position before the release means is moved to a "stop position and vice versa.

A still further object of the invention is a converse arrangement of the common operating control means whereby the release means is moved to a "stop position just prior to the energy control means being moved to an oil" position and vice versa.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the follow.- ing description.

The above and other objects of the invention are attained in a film handling apparatus comprising in combination a driving motor which is adapted to be connected and operated by a supply of energy, an energy control means connected between said motor and its supply of energy, a film moving means, a release means movable into and out of engagement with said film moving means, and a common operating control means which is operatively connected to said energy control means and to said release means for moving both of them to change their effective positions. More specifically, the common operating control means may be arranged to operate the energy control means and the release means in either sequential order so that the energy control means is moved to 011" position before the release means is moved to stop position and the release means is moved to "run position before the energy control means is moved to 011" position or such that the release means is moved to stop position just prior to movement of the energy control means to 011" position and the energy control means is moved to "on" position just prior to movement of the release means to "run" position.

Reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters designate similar elements and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through the photographic apparatus ilustrating the location of the film and energy magazine, a portion of the magazine being broken away to indicate the structure thereof.

Fig. 2 is a partial section of the photographic apparatus taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l and also a side elevation of the magazine and magazine chamber.

Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3-4 of Fig. 2 and shows a plan view of the prime mover and one of the combined connection and positioning members.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the photographic apparatus taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partial section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is also a partial section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. I is a partial section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the combined film and energy magazine with portions of the casing broken away to illustrate the internal construction.

Figs. 9 and 10 are partial longitudinal sections similar to Figs. 5 and 6 and showing the arrangement of the controlling members for the alter native form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram of the electric.

species of the invention.

While the present invention is illustrated as applied to a magazine type of photographic camera which is operated by an electric motor, it is understood that the invention in its scope contemplates any manner of photographic apparatus and any type of prime mover which may be operated by a source of energy either within or outside of said apparatus. For instance, a rocket type of prime mover and energy supply could be employed in the performance of the invention without departing from the scope thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the camera casing l6 includes an edge wall H, a side wall l2 and a cover H which fits onto the edge wall II in light-tight relation thereto. An objective I4 is mounted upon the front edge wall ll of camera casing l6 and objective socket I6 is mounted within casing l6 behind objective l4. A front plate I6 is also mounted in the front of the camera and constitutes the front wall of the magazine chamber II. A mechanism plate l6 extends longitudinally of easing l6 and constitutes the side wall of magazine chamber l'l. Front plate I6 is provided with an exposure aperture I6 in alignment with objective l4.

Various film operating mechanisms are provided within the camera and include a film advancing mechanism and a shutter mechanism both operated by a prime mover. The prime mover may comprise an electric motor 26 mounted by a bracket 2| upon the lower portion of edge wall II. The motor shaft 22 extends from one end of said motor 26 and carries a small spur gear 23. A connection 24 is attached at one end by a screw 25 to one side of motor 26 and at the other end by a screw 26 to an insulating post 21. Said other end of connection 24 includes a contact 26, the function of which will be later explained.

The film advancing mechanism is operated from a countershaft 29 which carries a gear 36 in mesh with the spur gear 23 on the motor shaft Said film advancing mechanism comprises a driving disc 3| to which one end of film claw 32 is eccentrically pivoted by a crank pin 33. Front plate [6 is also provided with a claw slot 34 through which film claw 32 may extend in a. known manner.

The shutter means may be provided in any conventional fashion but is here disclosed as a conical shutter member 35 provided with an opening 36 and pivotally mounted by a shutter shaft 31 and nut member 38 on the rear wall of objective socket l5. Shutter member 35 is driven from countershaft 29 through the following gear train: a bevel gear 39 on the other end of shutter shaft 31, a bevel gear 46 on a stub shaft 41 mounted upon side wall l2, a small gear 42 on stub shaft 4|, 9. large gear 43 also rotatably mounted on side wall l2 by a bolt 44 and which meshes with a small spur gear 45 on countershaft 26.

The driving connection to the film magazineincludes a clutch member 46 extending into magazine chamber l1, rotatably mounted in mechanism plate [8 and driven by a large gear 41 which meshes with said large gear 43.

The release means for the operating mechanisms of the apparatus are disclosed in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. The preferred form of the release mechanism is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and comprises a single-toothed cam 46 mounted upon countershaft 26, a blocking member 46 slidably mounted by pins 66 upon mechanism plate I6. Said release also includes a shaft 6| rotatably mounted in side wall l2 and in a bushing 62 of objective socket I6. An external finger member 53 is attached to one end of shaft 6|. An arm 54 is intermediately attached to shaft 6| and carries a pin 66 engaging a slot 66 in blocking member 46. Upon operation of the external finger member 63 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6, blocking member 46 is raised so that the abutment thereon disengages the single-toothed cam 46 whereupon the film-advancing mechanism, shutter mechanism and drive to the magazine clutch member 46 may be operated by the prime mover or electric motor 26.

The film and energy magazine contains a film supply which may extend through the film compartment thereof in any desired path. Said magazine comprises a film casing 61 which is provided with an exposure aperture 66 and a claw slot 59 and which carries a rotatable clutch member 66 complementary to clutch member 46 and for engagement therewith. The film strip F is held across exposure aperture 56 by a pressure pad 6| resiliently held against exposure aperture 56 by a spring member 62 which is mounted upon studs 63. When the film and energy magazine is inserted into magazine chamber H, the exposure aperture 66 is in alignment with exposure aperture I6 in front plate I6 and with objective I4. The passage of light through exposure apertures l6 and 66 is controlled by shutter member 35. The film claw 32 extends through claw slot 59 to engage the perforations along one margin of the film strip F within the magazine. The constructions and arrangements thus far described are quite conventional and well known.

The film and battery magazine also includes a battery casing 64 which contains the source of energy preferably in the form of laminated dry cell elements comprising alternate layers of zinc 65 and of electrolytic paste 66, both of known composition and properties. One group of layers 65 is connected in any suitable or well known manner to a contact 61 on the front casing 64, while the other group of layers 66 is connected in a similar manner to a contact 68 on the bottom of casing 64. Of course, it is understood that the location of contacts 61 and 66 may vary as the design of the photographic apparatus dictates.

A support 69 extends from the lower edge wall ll of camera casing 16 for supporting the lower edge of the film and battery magazine. A plurality of positioning members, such as springs 16, ll, 12, see Fig. 2. and 13, see Fig. 1, engage the sides of the film and battery magazine to hold it in position within the magazine chamber I! with exposure aperture 58 and claw slot 59 in operative relation to the objective l4 and film claw 32, respectively. At the same time contact 66 in the lower wall of the film and battery magazine bears against the contact 28 on the end of connection 24 to establish an electric connection between one side of the electric dry cell battery and one side of motor 26. It is thus evident that contact 26 simultaneously functions to establish the aforementioned electric contact and to locate or position the film and battery magazine properly within magazine chamber I1.

The energy control means for the connection of the energy source to the prime mover may be provided in any desired manner but an advantageous arrangement of such a control is disclosed herein. A spring arm I4 is mounted by rivets 15 upon the front plate [6. A contact 16 is mounted on the end of arm 14 and may move through opening 11 in front plate 18 into engagement with the contact 61 on the front wall of the film and battery magazine. Spring arm 14 is mounted so that under normal conditions contact 16 is spaced from contact 61 and the connection between the source of energy and prime mover is normally interrupted.

The present invention is primarily directed to a. common operating control means for operating the aforementioned release means and energy control means. The preferred form of such common operating control means is shown in Figs. 5 and 6 while an alternative or converse form of the common operating control means is shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

The preferred form of common operating control means comprises a cam arm 18 mounted upon the shaft 5|. When said cam arm I8 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5, spring arm 14 is moved so that contact I8 engages contact 61 to complete the connection between the energy source and the prime mover. Cam arm 18 is relatively positioned or timed with respect to arm 54 and so that pin 55 raises the blocking member 49 for disengagement of the abutment on the blocking member and the single toothed cam 48 before contact I6 engages contact 61. By such a common operating control means it is insured that the operating mechanism of the film handling apparatus will be released for operation by the motor 28 before said motor 28 is energized by the source of energy, such as the dry battery.

The arrangement just described provides the advantage that the motor cannot be energized and endeavor to drive the various camera mechanisms before the mechanism release means has been operated to dis-engage or free the film advancing and shutter mechanisms. In other words, the release means is moved to disengaging or run position before the energy control means 'is moved from off to on position.

This same relative arrangement or sequential operation of the energy control means and release means insures that the release means will not be engaged before the prime mover or motor is de-energized. For example, before the finger member 53 is returned to blocking position, the cam arm I8 is moved to permit separation of contacts 61 and I6 for de-energization of the motor 20. However, before the motor and film moving mechanisms have dissipated the inertia of operation therein, the arm 54 will have moved blocking member 59 into engagement with the single toothed cam 48 to stop the film advancing and shutter mechanisms in a predetermined position. In terms of positions of the energy control means and release means, the energy control means is moved to off position before the release means is moved to stop" position.

In order to avoid fogging of one or more frames of the film, it is necessary to stop the camera mechanisms in a definite position and with the shutter member 35 in closed position. Obviously, this desired result cannot be obtained by merely interrupting the contacts 81 and I6 and permitting the motor to coast to a stop. However, the arrangement proposed does not permit the release means or blocking mechanism to function until the motor has been de-energized and is already coasting to a stop.

The alternative form of the common operating control means is shown in Figs. 9 and and comprises a cam arm 19 mounted on shaft SI for operation by the finger member 58 andfor engaging the spring arm 14 to move contact 16 against contact 61, all as shown in Fig. 9. The release means is shown in Fig. 10 and comprises as before a single toothed cam 48 mounted on counter-shaft 28 and a blocking member 88 slidably mounted by'pins 8| upon mechanism plate l8 and normally urged into engaging or stop position by a spring 82 which is located between a lug 83 on mechanism plate l8 and a lug 84 on blocking member 88. Said blocking member 80 also includes a projection 88.

In this form of the invention the common operating control means includes a portion or arm 88 which is mounted on shaft 5i and which carries a'pin 81 for engaging the projection 85 of blocking member 88.

The principal difference in this alternative arrangement of the common operating control means from that already shown is a different order of sequential operation of the energy control means and the release means. Cam arm I9 and arm 86 are both mounted upon shaft 8| but are in such angular relation to each other that arm I9 acts to close contacts 81 and I6 before the engaging end of blocking member 88 is moved out of engagement with the abutment on the single toothed cam 48. Such relative angular positioning of cam arm 18 and arm 88 is shown in Fig. 10.

The operation of this alternate form of the common operating control means is such that the energy control means ismoved to on" position just before the release means is moved to run" position and the release means is moved to stop position just before the energy control means is moved to off" position. Although this form of the invention has the disadvantage that the motor will be strained and the energy supply may be reduced somewhat more rapidly, such arrangement has the advantage. that there will be no back lash in the gears or other mechanlsms between the motor and the film operating mechanisms and consequently the advancement of the film by the motor and film moving mechanisms will be more immediate.

The circuit for the battery to the motor is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 11. One side of the battery, such as the zinc plates 65, is connected to the contact 61. The normally open contact 16 on spring arm I4 is connected to ground or to the front plate l6 and camera casing Ill. The other side of the battery, such as the layers of electrolytic paste 6G, is connected to the contact 68, through contact 28 and connection 24 to one side of the motor 28, the other side of the motor being grounded to complete the circuit or being connected to the camera casing [8 in a known manner.

The generic concept of the present invention is a common operating control means for sequential operation of an energy control means and a release means. The preferred form of sequential operation reduces the strain on the motor and the consumption of energy because the energy supply is shut off before the film moving mechanisms are stopped and the energy supply is not turned on until the release means has freed the film moving mechanisms. The other form of the invention is subject to the disadvantage of strain on the motor and drain on the energy supply but insures more immediate movement of the film because the motor is energized before the film moving mechanisms are free and is not de-energized until after the release {means has stopped the film moving mechanisms. Since other and further modifications oi the invention are possible without departing from the scope thereof, the present disclosure is to be construed in an illustrative sense, the scope oi. the invention being defined in the appended claims.

Having now particularly described our invention what we desire tosecure by letters Patent of the United States and what we claim is:

1. In a film handling apparatus having a film gate, the combination with an operating mechanism including a film moving member for intermittently advancing a film strip through said gate and including a shutter member connected in timed relation to said film moving member and for covering said film gate during film advancement and uncovering the same for exposure of the film strip, an electric motor adapted to be connected to a supply of electrical energy and for driving said operating mechanism, a switch means connected between said motor and its energy supply and movable to an on position and to an off position, and a release means movable to a run position and movable into a stop position into engagement with said operating mechanism to stop the same with said shutter in its closed position, of a common opcrating control means operatively connected to said switch means and to said release means and arranged sequentially to move said switch means and said release means into and out of operative and inoperative positions.

2. In a film handling apparatus having a film gate, the combination with an operating mechanism including a film moving member for intermittently advancing a film strip through said gate and including a shutter member connected in timed relation to said film moving member and for covering said film gate during film advancement and uncovering the same for exposure 01' the film strip, an electric motor adapted to be connected to a supply of electrical energy and for driving said operating mechanism, a switch means connected between said motor and its energy supply and movable to an on position and to an of! position, and a release means movable to a run position and movable into a stop position into engagement with said operating mechanism to stop the same with said shutter in its closed position, of a common operating control means operatively connected to said switch means and to said release means, for moving said release means from "run" to stop" position to stop the operating mechanism with said shutter member in closed position, and for moving said switch means from on position into off position before said release means is moved to stop position.

WILLIAM E. MERRIMAN. CLARENCE W. CARROLL. 

